Worrisome skin problems can range from symptoms as excruciating as acne, pimples, psoriasis and eczema to simply having a sallow dull skin complexion. In Chinese Medicine there are some basic principles that we follow to heal skin problems such as acne, pimples, eczema and psoriasis. No matter what type of skin problem we might have it can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing if it affects our face. For long term skin and face health you need a multi pronged approach. Don’t get seduced by the single quick fixes for acne and pimples and other skin problems that you read about on the internet – especially the topical creams that you put on your face and skin. They may be simple but they are usually not effective enough for face and skin health.

There are seven key factors that need to be addressed in skin problems and face health. In Chinese Medicine skin is connected to the large intestine and lungs so a good Chinese Medicine practitioner should always begin treating skin and face problems such as acne, pimples, eczema and psoriasis through the digestion.

1. Treat the gut: Leaky gut and parasite issues are in fact a big deal in the treatment of face health and skin health through Chinese Medicine. This approach is not well known or widely used in Western or conventional treatments. Conventional treatments focus mostly on topical skin treatments: skin and face creams, antibiotics and steroids which of course affect the digestion, kill off the good bacteria and can make the acne and pimples worse. When the digestion gets worse the face and skin get worse and it becomes one aggravating and frustrating, even embarrassing vicious cycle. So improving your digestion is an important step to improve face health and skin health and to reduce acne, pimples and other skin problems.

2. Improve your Diet: A simple first step is to determine if you are more Yin or more Yang. A lot has been written about general diet for the management of acne, pimples and other skin problems, for example avoid greasy foods, eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, go on a detox diet, but in Chinese Medicine we are much more specific. We hold the same general principles but why is it important to determine if you are Yin or Yang? Because then you can be more aware of the foods that are right for you and therefore be more effective in reducing acne, pimples and other skin conditions. If you’re more Yang for example you would want to avoid hot spicy foods because they would exacerbate the heat toxin that is already in your body creating the skin condition of acne or pimples. If you are too Yin you would want to avoid cold or damp foods, which contribute to different skin and face problems.

3. Reduce Heat Toxins: In Chinese Medicine there are various forms of heat such as heat in the liver, heat in the stomach or lungs, heat in the blood and damp heat. Different kinds of heat can result in different kinds of skin and face problems.

4. Healthy Breathing: Oxygenates the blood, improves circulation and lymph flow and helps the body, face and skin to detoxify so that acne, pimples, psoriasis and eczema symptoms can be reduced. Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Yoga breathing, – these are all good ways to improve the circulation to your skin, help your body detox impurities from the skin, get that heat toxin flushed out and acne and pimples on the skin cleared up.

5. Avoid toxic skin products: These can contribute to the heat toxins in your body and skin and contribute to acne and pimples on the skin. Even in “organic” skin products you can find petrochemicals and preservatives that don’t just irritate your surface skin but also get absorbed through the skin into your body. So read the labels and become skin care savvy. eg avoid methyl and propyl parabens, vaseline, and excessive use of skin creams that might have a petroleum base. Household and garden chemicals, household cleaning products can also create heat toxins which affect your skin health.

6. Release old Trauma: Areas of your body where you have had accidents can be weaker than the rest of you and therefore be more susceptible to skin problems. Any area of trauma or emotional distress creates what we call “stagnation” in Chinese Medicine and contributes to heat toxins in the blood. This can manifest as skin problems such as acne, pimples, psoriasis or eczema.

7. Emotions: In Chinese Medicine bottled up emotions build and create heat just like old trauma, so make sure you de-stress as much as you can, to reduce the chance of acne and pimples on your skin and face.

BONUS: Probably the most important question that a doctor of Chinese Medicine should ask someone one with acne, pimples, eczema or psoriasis is “are you constipated?” This would also help them determine what kind of Yin or Yang foods and activities would help the skin. So make sure that you’re not constipated and pay attention to the above factors for beautiful, healthy face and skin.

By the time you finish reading this, you will agree with me that medicinal herbs for skin care, are not merely products to turn a blind eye on.

Every culture has a history of medicinal herbs used as medicine, spices or cosmetics. Although use of medicinal herbal products has declined in our modern societies in favor of synthetic toxic products, medicinal herbs for skin care remain a valuable asset. Medicinal herbs have a variety of useful properties. They soften, soothe, stimulate, moisten and rejuvenate the epidermis.

Medicinal herbs contain active ingredients and oils with medicinal properties and effective on the epidermis. Most of the medicinal herbs are used in many cosmetics today.

Which are the most commonly used medicinal herbs for skin care?

Shea butter is clinically proven to heal the epidermis and reduce inflammation extracted from the kernel of a nut. Traditionally the shea was used for soothing and accelerating healing of wounds.

The shea butter contains antioxidant, the vitamin E which heals the dermis and helps prevent oxidation of the butter’s essential fatty acids. Shea butter has also been shown to help with skin conditions and ailments such as dryness, eczema, dermatitis, allergies, fungal infections, blemishes, wrinkles, scars and stretch marks.

Witch hazel is a shrub grown in parts of United States. Ingredients from the shrub are extracted from leaves and bark. The ingredients used for anti inflammatory, anti itching, softening as well as emollient purposes.

Jojoba seeds contain liquid wax known as jojoba oil which is closer to the skin’s sebum. The oil has mild anti-inflammatory action beneficial in treatment of sunburns and acne.

Comfrey is a plant common in Europe and United States with healing as well as emollient properties used for topical treatment of wounds, inflammation, sprains and wounds. Comfrey produces an ingredient known as allantoin which possesses astringent effects and is also a demulcent with anti inflammatory properties.

Babassu wax and has been used for centuries to soothe the epidermis. Babassu is a light; natural wax made from Babassu oil, from the kernel of the fruit of the Babassu palm. It has proven benefits for itchy, eczema, dry and inflamed epidermis. Babassu wax is used in skin care products for both oily and dry complexions.

Nut grass root has been effective at reducing freckles and is being used in skin care products as a safe natural way to whiten the epidermis due to its ability to inhibit the formation of the skin pigment melanin. Nut grass root has also been found to have anti-aging properties for the epidermis.

Some food for thought, if you want to enjoy the benefits of the medicinal herbs for skin care, you need to choose products containing the herbal ingredients.

Millions of people are beginning to realize the many benefits of using medicinal herbs for skin. A lot of products are not powerful enough to treat nutritional, hormonal and chemical imbalances in the body that lead to acne, eczema, blackheads and other skin problems. The therapeutic effect herbs provide a complete treatment approach as well as advanced regime that boosts your immune system.

The Good Ingredients

Read the label of herbal skin care products carefully and determine the healthy ingredients that will keep your skin looking fresh and young. Sulfur as MSM or Methylsulfonylmethane is a natural-occurring organic compound known for its good effects in maintaining normal keratin levels in skin, hair and nails.

Cell walls become more permeable which enhances circulation and regulation and production of insulin. Saw Palmetto is usually compared to Finasteride but provides little or no side effects. Receptor sites located on cell membranes that support DHT or dihydrotestosterone absorption are blocked reducing occurrence of hair loss or alopecia.

PABA or Para-aminobenzoic acid is a co-enzyme that forms part of the structure of folic acid which is vital for good skin and hair pigmentation. Intestinal bacteria are stimulated to produce folic acid which in effect breaks down proteins reducing hair graying, dermatitis and hair loss. Iodine is a trace mineral that helps regulate the production of thyroid hormone.

It can be converted to iodide and also prevents hair loss and dry hair by improving scalp condition. L-Methionine is an essential amino acid that contains sulfur which is helpful for growth and good metabolism. It is useful for muscle and hair production and is a building block of peptides and proteins. Methionine is regularly used by the body to create creatine.

More Contents to Seek

Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that acts as a co-enzyme to metabolize fats, carbohydrates and proteins. It helps improve scalp condition. Inositol hexaphosphate is a potent antioxidant which is very useful in boosting lecithin production. Lecithin is needed for effective brain neurotransmitter action and inhibits free radical production and activity.

Abnormal cell division is also prevented such as in the case of skin cancer. Vitamin B5 or D-pantothenate is good for fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It improves scalp condition thereby reducing dandruff. The immune system is also enhanced. Omega-3 fish oil is good for overall skin health and condition.

The Wonder Herbs

Several medicinal herbs for skin are also available treating a variety of diseases. Neem reduces excess sugar content in the body which can lead to different skin problems. Neem can combine with skin cells and prevent virus spread. Neem is a known germicide and antihistamine. The herbal skin care product also contains gedunin and nimbidol which have fungicidal properties. Problems like warts, eczema, dandruff, psoriasis, acne and scabies can be treated.

Basil or tulsi has many beneficial medicinal effects on different systems in the body. Oriental medicine highly incorporates it in many concoctions. Basil is known for its antibacterial and blood purification effects. Sandalwood is an Indian herb with a unique fragrance. It adds luster and smoothness to the skin and removes rashes and blemishes.

Turmeric or haldi can treat skin disorders like infections, boils and wounds. Wild dandelion weed has several skin benefits and contains a lot of iron and calcium. The roots, leaves and flower can be used for a variety of therapeutic functions since these are high in vitamins and minerals.